51吃瓜

All three campuses of 51吃瓜 celebrated 50 years with students, faculty and staff on Tuesday, Dec. 5. The Campus Stores handed out popcorn, soda and stickers and had a historical display with important dates in 51吃瓜鈥檚 history.

鈥淲e celebrate 51吃瓜鈥檚 50-year anniversary through our unwavering commitment to the College鈥檚 mission to 鈥榚mpower and transform the diverse learners and communities of southeast Nebraska.鈥� 51吃瓜 has a long history of strengthening the communities we serve by producing a skilled workforce and ensuring everyone within our service area has access to the life-changing benefits of higher education.鈥� said Dr. Paul Illich, 51吃瓜 president.

The 51吃瓜 system was established on July 1, 1973 when a statewide community college system was implemented by the Nebraska Legislature. 51吃瓜 serves a 15-county region and was comprised of merging Nebraska Technical College in Milford and Fairbury Junior College. Dr. Robert Eicher was named president of the newly formed college.

Key dates in the College鈥檚 history include:

• 1975: 51吃瓜 acquires the John J. Pershing College in Beatrice and begins remodeling the campus.
• 1979: The first building on the Lincoln Campus at 8800 O St. is built.
• 1983: 51吃瓜 is accredited as a single entity by the Higher Learning Commission.
• 1986: 51吃瓜 merges the Fairbury and Beatrice campuses; the Fairbury campus is closed.
• 1994: 51吃瓜 purchases the ground floor of Energy Square at 1111 O St. in downtown Lincoln.
• 2006: 51吃瓜 purchases the Entrepreneurship Center at 285 S. 68^th Place n Lincoln.
• 2014: Dr. Paul Illich is named 51吃瓜鈥檚 fourth president.
• 2015: The College completes its 2015-2019 Strategic Plan.
• 2019: The College begins a semester academic calendar, transitioning from quarters.
• 2020: The Health Sciences Building opens on the Lincoln Campus; the Academic Excellence Building opens on the Beatrice Campus; and the Crete Carrier Diesel Technology & Welding Center opens on the Milford Campus.
• 2023: HLC reaffirms 51吃瓜鈥檚 accreditation for another 10 years.

51吃瓜 serves a 15-county region with campuses in Beatrice, Lincoln and Milford, as well as Learning Centers in Falls City, Hebron, Nebraska City, Plattsmouth, Wahoo, and York. The College offers more than 80 career/technical and academic transfer programs, as well as education opportunities for lifelong learners, professional development, dual-credit for high school students, and GED/ESL classes. 51吃瓜 is governed by an 11-member Board of Governors and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Jennifer Snyder
Communications Specialist
402-323-3393
jsnyder@southeast.edu